Sheryl Sousa, Day 4 & 5: The beauty of Hvar and Zadar

Aug 19, 2012

August 17

On the 17th, we traveled to the Island
of Hvar. We departed from the port of Split and traveled by ferry,
two hours each way. Not unlike the trip to Nantucket or
Martha's Vineyard, it was a large enough ferry to carry our tour
bus as well. When we arrived on the island of Hvar, we
boarded the bus again and were taken to Hvar town. It is a
resort town that boasts chic bars and restaurants, upscale hotels,
loads of yachts and celebrity sightings.

We took one group photo when we arrived, and then we all
went our separate ways to discover the island. The coast -
and especially the beaches - are very different from what I’m
used to on the east coast. There was no sand. The
shoreline was rocky. People lay their towels on the end of
the rocky cliff and swim. We were able to find a place to
rent a couple of beach chairs and an umbrella that was more
comfortable than laying on the rocks. Well worth every kuna spent.

A group including Associate Athletic Director Tom Rand and a
handful of alumni John Saucier, Terrill Hollins, Kenny Small and
Joe Coppens chartered a boat to explore the island. Their
skipper, Nick, took them to a beautiful location were Joey and
Sauce were able to cliff dive. It’s all captured on video, so
when we get home you’ll have to ask to see the footage, and
hear the screams.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful. Sunny and
in the 90s. The sun is hot, but the air isn’t humid, so
in the shade it is very pleasant indeed.

August 18

On the morning of the 18th, we
packed up from our hotel in Split and boarded the bus for Zadar,
taking a the scenic drive along the coast. Our hotel in Zadar is
more classic European in style. The rooms are much smaller and
modest than our hotel in Spilt. But the rooms overlook the
Adriatic Sea for a spectacular view of the crystal clear blue
water.

Zadar is one of the largest cities in the Dalmatian region.
According to the guide books “the town has real soul
– likely derived from all the hardships it has faced over the
years”, having been bombed during World War II and held under
siege during the homeland war. Some architecture dates backs
to the Romans, and then it is mixed in with Austro-Hungarian
influences. Zadar is much more what I expected of Croatia than what
we saw in Split. Split was a more modern city: busy and
metropolitan. Zadar, on the coast, is more charming: the pace
is very relaxed. The downtown area, with lots of shops,
narrow streets, old buildings and a lively social life, is what I
imagined heading into this trip.

Last night we went into the downtown area to witness a very
cool art installation that the town is known for – “sun
salutation” and the “sea organ”. The sun
salutation is a large circle in the public pavilion with cells that
are powered by solar energy. They heat up during the day, and
at nightfall, burst into colors. It looks like a large disco
dance floor. The sea organ is a large musical instrument
built into the sea wall such that when the sea ebbs and flows, the
water creates a musical melody.

Zadar is a charming city and I’m looking forward to
spending the next couple of days here.